UGA To Pay Fine for Burning Waste

The Athens Banner-Herald is reporting that the University of Georgia has agreed to pay a $24,000 fine for burning medical and infectious waste in three on-campus incinerators.

The newspaper says that under a proposed agreement with the state Environmental Protection Division, the university would have to obtain new permits before burning more medical waste.

EPD inspectors cited the university for burning prohibited waste after a July inspection. Environment officials say the university had been burning medical and infectious waste for years in violation of its permit.

University officials are negotiating on the final terms of the order, which calls on the university to admit burning medical waste in the incinerators and to keep better records, but does not require the university to admit violating the law.